Vista Crashed During Autoupdate -- Now Won't Reboot

Hi All,

I recently bought a new Compaq (3 weeks ago) and was in the middle of
installing programs when I had a fatal crash. As far as I remember, I
disconnected it from the Internet, the system crashed (black screen
said Windows had to shut down) and then had problems rebooting.

I ran a full system restore twice, but with no luck. At one point when
I was trying to shut down, the system hung up and then displayed a
screen saying it was updating Vista (it was at File 14 of 33 -- not
sure if file is the correct term here; I can't remember exactly).

I brought it back to FutureShop, and they said they may have to get
replacement disks for me, and it might cost me an additional $100...

So here's the breakdown:

- Few programs installed, no real data
- Connected to the Internet wirelessly with Retail+ USB dongle
- When I disconnected from the Internet, the system crashed -- black
screen
- Subsequent reboots led to sporadic success, slow system, hang ups,
black screen, keyboard failure, mouse failure (once)
- Message at one point said "Patch failed" or some such thing
- System restore failed
- Restore to factory settings failed twice
- Brought back to retailer, and hardware diagnostics all checks out

I've read at various places on the 'Net about problems with Vista
upgrades causing fatal exceptions. I've also read that these upgrades
can corrupt files, even in the "original factory settings" backup
file.

Is it possible that I interrupted a Vista autoupdate which caused
erratic behaviour, failure to restore to original factory condition
and corrupted my factory settings file?

TIA for any help you can give me!

~Graham

If you bought it 3 weeks ago, it's still under Warranty or Service Contract.
Take it back to FutureShop again and demand that they fix it *at no cost to
you*, replace it *at no cost to you*, or refund your money. Assuming you
used a credit card to purchase it, contact the credit card company and
contest the charge: They'll go to bat for you, too.

That being said...

> I ran a full system restore twice, but with no luck. At one point when
> I was trying to shut down, the system hung up and then displayed a
> screen saying it was updating Vista (it was at File 14 of 33 -- not
> sure if file is the correct term here; I can't remember exactly).

The update is not installed successfully, you receive a message, and the
computer restarts when you try to install an update in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

PS: If the machine did not come with Vista SP1 preinstalled, you purchased
an older machine that'd probably been sitting on the shelves gather dust for
well over a year. I'd return it for a full refund IIWY.

Good luck!
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Graham wrote:
> I recently bought a new Compaq (3 weeks ago) and was in the middle of
> installing programs when I had a fatal crash. As far as I remember, I
> disconnected it from the Internet, the system crashed (black screen
> said Windows had to shut down) and then had problems rebooting.
>
> I ran a full system restore twice, but with no luck. At one point when
> I was trying to shut down, the system hung up and then displayed a
> screen saying it was updating Vista (it was at File 14 of 33 -- not
> sure if file is the correct term here; I can't remember exactly).
>
> I brought it back to FutureShop, and they said they may have to get
> replacement disks for me, and it might cost me an additional $100...
>
> So here's the breakdown:
>
> - Few programs installed, no real data
> - Connected to the Internet wirelessly with Retail+ USB dongle
> - When I disconnected from the Internet, the system crashed -- black
> screen
> - Subsequent reboots led to sporadic success, slow system, hang ups,
> black screen, keyboard failure, mouse failure (once)
> - Message at one point said "Patch failed" or some such thing
> - System restore failed
> - Restore to factory settings failed twice
> - Brought back to retailer, and hardware diagnostics all checks out
>
> I've read at various places on the 'Net about problems with Vista
> upgrades causing fatal exceptions. I've also read that these upgrades
> can corrupt files, even in the "original factory settings" backup
> file.
>
> Is it possible that I interrupted a Vista autoupdate which caused
> erratic behaviour, failure to restore to original factory condition
> and corrupted my factory settings file?
>
> TIA for any help you can give me!
>
> ~Graham

Thanks Robear!

I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
likely mess up the computer...

So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...

Thanks again for your help!

~Graham

> ...First thing I did: create DVD backup discs.

Good idea.

> Second thing: deactivate autoupdate.

Not a good idea.

> So far so good...

If you leave Automatic Updating disabled and the machine remains unpatched,
it won't be good very much longer!

[To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]

wrote:
> Thanks Robear!
>
> I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
> machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
> likely mess up the computer...
>
> So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
> likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
> thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...
>
> Thanks again for your help!
>
> ~Graham

So it needs patches to continue working? Wow... Actually, I have it
offline right now anyway as I install my programs -- will it crash
anytime soon?

Thanks again,

~Graham

On Nov 24, 2:17 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > ...First thing I did: create DVD backup discs.
>
> Good idea.
>
> > Second thing: deactivate autoupdate.
>
> Not a good idea.
>
> > So far so good...
>
> If you leave Automatic Updating disabled and the machine remains unpatched,
> it won't be good very much longer!
>
> [To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of previous
> message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]
>
> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
> > Thanks Robear!
>
> > I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
> > machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
> > likely mess up the computer...
>
> > So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
> > likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
> > thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...
>
> > Thanks again for your help!
>
> > ~Graham

Your Vista machine should be kept fully-patched at Windows Update to protect
the machine, your personal data, and any other machines on the network and
the internet from the vulnerabilities addressed by each security update.
--
~PA Bear

wrote:
> So it needs patches to continue working? Wow... Actually, I have it
> offline right now anyway as I install my programs -- will it crash
> anytime soon?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> ~Graham
>
> On Nov 24, 2:17 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> ...First thing I did: create DVD backup discs.
>>
>> Good idea.
>>
>>> Second thing: deactivate autoupdate.
>>
>> Not a good idea.
>>
>>> So far so good...
>>
>> If you leave Automatic Updating disabled and the machine remains
>> unpatched,
>> it won't be good very much longer!
>>
>> [To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of
>> previous
>> message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]
>>
>> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> Thanks Robear!
>>
>>> I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
>>> machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
>>> likely mess up the computer...
>>
>>> So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
>>> likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
>>> thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...
>>
>>> Thanks again for your help!
>>
>>> ~Graham

Oh yes, I do plan to keep updating. But I don't want to run into a
similar situation where I unknowingly disconnect from the Internet
during an autoupdate, and mess up the computer again... My area is
also prone to power outages, which could also trigger a similar event
if it happened during the autoupdate.

This way, I have a bit more control...

Thanks again!

~Graham

On Nov 24, 11:35 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Your Vista machine should be kept fully-patched at Windows Update to protect
> the machine, your personal data, and any other machines on the network and
> the internet from the vulnerabilities addressed by each security update.
> --
> ~PA Bear
>
> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
> > So it needs patches to continue working? Wow... Actually, I have it
> > offline right now anyway as I install my programs -- will it crash
> > anytime soon?
>
> > Thanks again,
>
> > ~Graham
>
> > On Nov 24, 2:17 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> ...First thing I did: create DVD backup discs.
>
> >> Good idea.
>
> >>> Second thing: deactivate autoupdate.
>
> >> Not a good idea.
>
> >>> So far so good...
>
> >> If you leave Automatic Updating disabled and the machine remains
> >> unpatched,
> >> it won't be good very much longer!
>
> >> [To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of
> >> previous
> >> message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]
>
> >> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
> >>> Thanks Robear!
>
> >>> I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
> >>> machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
> >>> likely mess up the computer...
>
> >>> So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
> >>> likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
> >>> thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...
>
> >>> Thanks again for your help!
>
> >>> ~Graham

Rather than disabling Automatic Updates, see your configuration options as
described on these webpages:

Automatic Updates in Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...owsupdate.mspx

For example, you can select the Notify Only (third) option such that you
must approve which updates are downloaded, what updates are installed and
when they're installed.

If you select the "Download Only" (second) option, the updates will download
automatically but you must approve which updates are installed and when
they're installed.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

wrote:
> Oh yes, I do plan to keep updating. But I don't want to run into a
> similar situation where I unknowingly disconnect from the Internet
> during an autoupdate, and mess up the computer again... My area is
> also prone to power outages, which could also trigger a similar event
> if it happened during the autoupdate.
>
> This way, I have a bit more control...
>
> Thanks again!
>
> ~Graham
>
> On Nov 24, 11:35 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Your Vista machine should be kept fully-patched at Windows Update to
>> protect the machine, your personal data, and any other machines on the
>> network and the internet from the vulnerabilities addressed by each
>> security update. --
>> ~PA Bear
>>
>> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> So it needs patches to continue working? Wow... Actually, I have it
>>> offline right now anyway as I install my programs -- will it crash
>>> anytime soon?
>>
>>> Thanks again,
>>
>>> ~Graham
>>
>>> On Nov 24, 2:17 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> ...First thing I did: create DVD backup discs.
>>
>>>> Good idea.
>>
>>>>> Second thing: deactivate autoupdate.
>>
>>>> Not a good idea.
>>
>>>>> So far so good...
>>
>>>> If you leave Automatic Updating disabled and the machine remains
>>>> unpatched,
>>>> it won't be good very much longer!
>>
>>>> [To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of
>>>> previous
>>>> message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.]
>>
>>>> gstron...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>> Thanks Robear!
>>
>>>>> I actually got a call from them today, and they replaced the whole
>>>>> machine. They agreed that disconnecting during an autoupdate would
>>>>> likely mess up the computer...
>>
>>>>> So I'm still not 100% sure of the problem, but that seems the most
>>>>> likely culprit. First thing I did: create DVD backup discs. Second
>>>>> thing: deactivate autoupdate. So far so good...
>>
>>>>> Thanks again for your help!
>>
>>>>> ~Graham